UAB Professional Athletes

Brewer Hicklen's Moment in Atlanta

When Ronald Acuña exited the Braves' lineup, the door swung wide open for UAB's Brewer Hicklen — and the former Blazer walked right through it.

With Acuña sidelined, Atlanta slid Hicklen into right field for a high-profile audition in the final stretch of a meaningful MLB season. It's the kind of opportunity that defines careers: a big-market club, a pennant-race atmosphere, and a vacancy at one of baseball's most scrutinized positions.

Hicklen made the most of his chances during the week. In Wednesday's 3-2 win over Cincinnati, he drew a walk and held a .257 average — modest numbers, but steady production for a reserve outfielder suddenly thrust into an everyday role. His average climbed as high as .290 earlier in the week during Atlanta's 4-2 victory over Houston on Sunday. The arc of his batting average over the stretch — .290, .273, .257 — reflects the natural regression that comes with sustained exposure, but it also reflects a player holding his own where many wouldn't.

For UAB fans, Hicklen isn't just a feel-good story. He's proof that mid-major baseball can produce legitimate big-league contributors.

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Ashcraft Brothers: Mixed Fortunes

The Ashcraft name remained active across the National League this week, with Graham and Braxton logging very different storylines.

Graham Ashcraft had a workmanlike week out of Cincinnati's bullpen, tossing three one-inning appearances against Atlanta and Toronto. He struck out a batter in two of those outings and finished the week with his ERA settling at 4.08 after sitting as high as 4.45 earlier in the stretch. It's the kind of late-season grind-it-out work that doesn't generate headlines but keeps a pitcher on a roster.

Braxton Ashcraft delivered better news just by staying healthy. The Pirates right-hander suffered an injury scare over the weekend, but tests revealed no structural damage — a significant relief for Pittsburgh heading into the offseason. No structural damage means the 24-year-old can likely begin normal offseason preparation, preserving what remains a promising developmental trajectory for one of the organization's young arms.

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Elsewhere: Tolbert Hits, Whitlock Dominates

Tyler Tolbert continued to be a productive piece for Kansas City, going 1-for-the-day with a run scored in Tuesday's back-and-forth 11-14 loss to the White Sox while carrying a .294 average. He also appeared Sunday in a narrow 3-4 loss to Pittsburgh, keeping his average in the .288 range. In a Royals rebuild that's ahead of schedule, Tolbert's versatility and on-base instincts have made him a legitimate contributor.

Garrett Whitlock, meanwhile, turned in arguably the most impressive individual line of any UAB alum this week. The Red Sox right-hander worked a clean inning against Cleveland on Wednesday and sits at a pristine 1.72 ERA — elite by any measure. Boston may be out of contention, but Whitlock is pitching like a man making a case for a significant role in 2026.

Five UAB alumni. Five different teams. One shared pedigree. The Blazers' footprint in professional baseball has never looked wider — or more consequential — than it does this September.

Garrett Whitlock Is Quietly Becoming Boston's Most Important Arm

When the Red Sox needed someone to close out a tense 4-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday — with Aroldis Chapman unavailable due to lat tightness — interim manager Chad Tracy didn't hesitate. He handed the ball to UAB product Garrett Whitlock. That decision said everything about where Whitlock stands in Boston's pecking order heading into October.

The setup man finished the week with a 1.75 ERA, appearing in three games against the Royals, Rangers, and Rays. He's not just a reliable arm at this point — he's the Red Sox bullpen's most trusted weapon in high-leverage moments. Whitlock logged 2.1 innings over the stretch, adding three strikeouts, and has been a foundational piece of what the team believes is one of baseball's best relief corps.

The backstory adds intrigue. Boston once envisioned Whitlock as a starter, but his body repeatedly couldn't sustain the workload. He's since embraced the bullpen role — though, as Whitlock himself acknowledged this week, a return to starting isn't off the table entirely if the circumstances were right. For now, the Red Sox are plenty happy keeping him where he is.

Ashcraft Gets Good News, Pirates Adjust Around Him

On the other side of the UAB ledger, Braxton Ashcraft and the Pittsburgh Pirates are navigating a more cautious road to October. The All-Star right-hander has been sidelined, forcing Pittsburgh to reshape its pitching plans without him in the rotation. But the week ended on an encouraging note: Ashcraft received positive news about his pitching arm, raising hopes he could factor into the postseason picture.

The Pirates haven't committed to a timeline, but the fact that Ashcraft is trending in the right direction — rather than toward shutdown — is meaningful for a franchise that counts on his arm as a centerpiece of its staff.

Around the UAB Alumni Circuit

The week wasn't short on activity from other Blazers alumni across the league.

In Cincinnati, Graham Ashcraft (no relation to Braxton) made a pair of relief appearances against the Dodgers, logging a strikeout in each of his two innings of work. His ERA sits at 4.60, and while he hasn't been sharp, he's continuing to log innings for a Reds squad still sorting through its roster.

In Kansas City, infielder Tyler Tolbert was one of the steadier offensive contributors on the week. The Royals second baseman collected a hit in back-to-back series — going 1-for-his-opportunities against both the Royals-Pirates series and earlier against the Astros — and holds a .293 average on the season. Tolbert's value as a versatile, contact-oriented player has kept him relevant on a Royals roster with playoff ambitions of its own.

Over in Atlanta, outfielder Brewer Hicklen delivered a productive Tuesday against the Cubs, going 1-for-his-chances with a walk and maintaining a strong .333 average. Hicklen has been a solid depth option for the Braves as they navigate the final weeks of the regular season.

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It's a strong week for UAB's MLB footprint — anchored by a Whitlock performance that's making Red Sox fans feel increasingly good about October, and buoyed by hopeful injury news out of Pittsburgh. The Blazers have produced quietly and consistently, and the stretch run will test all of them.

The Gut Punch in Pittsburgh

Braxton Ashcraft's right arm has gone quiet at the worst possible moment, and the Pittsburgh Pirates — on the verge of their first winning season since 2018 — are left scrambling.

The UAB product was placed on the 15-day injured list on September 10 (retroactive to September 7) with discomfort in his throwing arm, the Pirates announced. Ashcraft, an All-Star and 14-game winner this season, had been a cornerstone of a rotation that helped Pittsburgh win seven of its last eight series heading into the final weeks. Test results on the arm were still pending, adding a layer of uncertainty that no contender wants this time of year.

To fill the immediate void, the Pirates recalled right-hander Antwone Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis. Kelly is a capable arm, but he is not Ashcraft — and Pittsburgh's front office knows it. The club also named Wilber Dotel as Ashcraft's replacement in the rotation for the next scheduled start against the Cubs. The organizational depth is being stress-tested in real time.

How serious the injury is remains unclear, but the optics are stark: the Pirates are chasing history, and the most important pitcher on their staff is watching from the trainer's room.

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Around the League

Brewer Hicklen, Braves (CF): The former UAB outfielder got a meaningful opportunity this week after Lane Thomas was placed on the injured list with an intercostal strain suffered during batting practice ahead of Atlanta's series finale against Tampa Bay. Hicklen stepped into left field and has been hitting .333 in recent action, flashing the kind of contact rate that keeps him on active rosters. He also scored a run in Friday's game against Philadelphia as the Braves — swept concerns still fresh — tried to right the ship heading into the weekend.

Graham Ashcraft, Reds (P): The other Ashcraft in the brief had a rough Saturday. The right-hander returned from the 60-day injured list this week — his roster spot created by designating reliever Sam Moll for assignment — but the comeback was rocky. Against Milwaukee on September 12, Ashcraft recorded just one out, surrendered five earned runs, and exited with his ERA climbing to 4.91. His September 6 and September 9 appearances had been cleaner (one earned run and zero earned runs, respectively), so the Milwaukee outing was a step back in what is clearly still a work-in-progress return.

Garrett Whitlock, Red Sox (P): Whitlock continues to be one of the more reliable arms in the American League. The UAB alum threw a clean inning against Kansas City on Saturday, striking out three and sitting at a sparkling 1.84 ERA on the season. He also fanned two batters in a September 7 appearance against the Angels. Whitlock is quietly putting together one of the better relief seasons among the UAB contingent in the majors.

Tyler Tolbert, Royals (2B): Tolbert has been a steady presence in Kansas City's lineup, batting .299–.304 across three appearances this week against the Diamondbacks and Red Sox. No fireworks, but consistent contact from a player who has carved out a role in a Royals club with playoff aspirations of its own.

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The week ultimately belongs to one story: Braxton Ashcraft, sidelined, with Pittsburgh holding its breath. The Pirates built something real this season. Whether they can finish it without their best starter is the only question that matters right now.

UAB doesn't produce NFL first-rounders or March Madness Cinderellas every year, but this September, the Blazers' MLB contingent is quietly demanding attention. From a long-awaited return in Cincinnati to a breakout call-up in Atlanta and a reliable arm in Pittsburgh, the Green and Gold is well-represented across the big leagues.

Graham Ashcraft: Back on the Mound in Cincinnati

The most significant news out of the UAB alumni file this week: Graham Ashcraft is returning. The Reds are activating the right-hander off the 60-day injured list after a three-month absence due to a right forearm UCL sprain — the kind of injury that ends seasons and, sometimes, careers. Ashcraft is expected to rejoin the rotation, though the Reds will need to clear a 40-man roster spot to make it happen. The significance of the activation can't be overstated; Ashcraft's return gives Cincinnati a veteran arm as the team navigates the final stretch of the season.

Braxton Ashcraft: Pittsburgh's Most Consistent Arm

While his fellow Ashcraft was rehabbing, Braxton Ashcraft (no relation) was piling up quality starts for the Pirates. The righty delivered back-to-back five-inning outings to bookend the week — limiting the Cardinals to two earned runs on August 30, then keeping pace against the Angels on September 5, striking out nine while allowing three earned runs over five innings. His ERA sits at 3.65, and his strikeout numbers against Los Angeles suggest his stuff is sharp heading into the homestretch. For a Pirates team not in playoff contention, Ashcraft is providing exactly what rebuilding franchises need from young starters: innings, competitiveness, and growth.

Brewer Hicklen: .364 and Making the Most of His Shot

Brewer Hicklen isn't on anyone's fantasy waiver wire radar — but maybe he should be. The Braves outfielder has been hitting .364 in his September call-up role, drawing walks and scoring runs in a part-time lineup spot that has expanded into starting assignments. On September 2, Hicklen drew a walk against Washington. A day earlier, he went 1-for-the-day with a run scored and another free pass. Against Colorado on August 30, he crossed the plate again. The counting stats are modest, but the batting average tells a story: Hicklen is making contact, working counts, and doing enough to keep himself in manager Brian Snitker's lineup card — including a start in left field during the Braves' series opener against the Nationals.

The Rest of the Blazers' Big League Crew

Garrett Whitlock continued to be one of the more quietly effective relievers in the American League. The UAB product tossed a scoreless inning on Friday against Baltimore as part of a 1-0 Red Sox victory — his second consecutive scoreless appearance this week — with his ERA parked at 1.91. He's functioning as a late-inning bridge option in Boston's bullpen, and the numbers back it up.

Tyler Tolbert, meanwhile, is hitting .304–.307 for the Royals, logging hits and runs in spot appearances. The utility infielder isn't a headliner, but his average reflects a player who has carved out a legitimate MLB role through consistency.

Five UAB alumni. Five contributors. One very good September for the Blazers.